https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news.atomRoccabox - Roccabox -The Edit2019-03-08T12:25:00+00:00Roccaboxhttps://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/6-women-that-inspire-us2019-03-08T12:25:00+00:002019-03-11T19:29:47+00:006 Women that Inspire Us!Penny BantonInternational women’s day (arguably the best day of the year) is here and the Roccabox team is excited! A day that we can spoil ourselves without question? Yes, please.

We love a bit of girl power, so in the spirit of this amazing day that celebrates gender equality and the many achievements of women throughout history, we wanted to share with you 6 powerful women who inspire us.

1) Sophia Amoruso:

Style icon, shoe addict and powerhouse Sophia Amoruso is the creator of the online fashion empire NastyGal. This girl boss went from dumpster to high fashion when she turned her eBay shop into a thriving lifestyle industry, with nearly $300 million in sales. It hasn’t been without its challenges though. In 2017, Nasty Gal's feminist credentials undermined by a series of lawsuits, and it's increasing overhead resulted in a humiliating bankruptcy filing.

But, if anyone knows how to turn lemons into tasty lemonade, it is this girl (seriously, she had a lemonade stand at the age of 9). Sophia has made a major comeback creating the online hub Girlboss media where she hopes to share her wisdom with thousands of budding female entrepreneurs. You go Sophia!

2) The Kattan sisters:

These Middle-eastern beauty icons turned their passion for beauty into a business by riding the social media wave. Huda Kattan was a make-up artist who started a beauty blog back in 2010. By 2013, after quitting her finance gig she launched her business Huda Beauty with the help of her sisters Mona and Alya. The first product they launched managed to capture the attention of Kim Kardashian! (Jealous).

As an Iraqi-American, Huda struggled to fit in as a child, facing cruel taunts from bullies who said she was hairy ‘like a monkey’. Kattan believed that from the beginning she never fit in. Wherever she lived, kids would go out of their way to make her feel like an outsider. But, what makes her so inspiring is that she never let the bullies get her down and instead used the experience to shape her as a woman!

Now, with over 9,000 views a day, Huda Beauty has quickly turned into an empire that is unmatched in the makeup world and continues to be a leader in the industry with its innovative and trendy products. Talk about career goals!

Who knows what is next for these incredible ladies...and can we join in?

3) Amal Clooney:

This woman is just the epitome of empowerment! Married to none other than superstar George Clooney, Amal is definitely NOT just a trophy wife. She is a strong, independent woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Having fled from war-stricken Lebanon when she was only two, this woman has single-handedly helped girls in Lebanon receive the education they deserve, defended high-profile cases and inspired women across the globe while doing so. She is fluent in three languages, has a Law degree from Oxford and has dedicated her life to fighting for women's rights and against the terrorist group, ISIS.

What is not to love about this woman?

4) Meghan Markle:

A close friend of Amal Clooney and now the Dutchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle is one of our favourite women at the moment (and I don’t think we are the only ones who feel this way)! Even before she was a princess, Markle has shown a history of activism around causes that are close to her heart. Back when she was only 11 years old, Markle spoke out about a soap commercial that implied washing dishes was women’s work. Amazing right? Well, not only that but her enormous portfolio of charity work and successful acting career shows us that she is not just a one-trick pony.

Being a public figure, Meghan has experienced a lot of self-doubt due to a slew of negative reports and flawed rumours. One of her most inspiring qualities is her ability to take a step back when times get tough and remind herself that she is enough just as she is (and so are you!).

5) Michelle Obama:

We couldn’t talk about inspiring ladies without mentioning this incredible woman! Former first lady and hope warrior Michelle Obama is a gift that just keeps giving. She is a continuing force for change and is not afraid to speak her mind or show her displeasure. Not only does she have confidence and style, but her involvement in causes such as childhood obesity, Let’s Move! Initiative and mentoring program for youth got her recognised as 7th in the Forbes Power Woman list last year.

What can’t this woman do?

6) Lady Gaga:

Last, but not least is Lady Gaga! This woman has stolen our hearts recently as her grit and determination has brought her career to new heights. After her success with ‘A Star Is Born’ Lady Gaga opened up about her struggles within the industry and how she never gave up when times were tough. It is hard not to be inspired by this woman as her hard-work shows that there is no such thing as failure, just life pushing you in a different direction. We personally love her golden rules when it comes to success: Rule #1: Never give up. Rule #2: Always listen to rule #1.

In the words of lady gaga, the great thing about kindness is that it is free and it does not hurt us. So, we are being extra kind to you lovely ladies this month with a surprise gift in the box (hint, hint it might be a Huda beauty product).

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/reasons-why-we-re-not-detoxing-this-january2019-01-10T15:54:00+00:002019-01-10T15:57:24+00:00Reasons why we’re NOT detoxing this JanuaryPenny BantonWith the heavy drinking, chocolates and delicious food, when January comes around, we tend to feel a little guilty. A detox should do the trick and put us back on track though…. right?

Well, we hate to break it but detoxing may not actually be that great for you after all.

(Is it bad to be a little relieved? Green juice is all fun and games until you’re hangry and have to run to the loo every 2 hours…)

Reason 1

Your body does a pretty great job at detoxifying itself

That’s what your organs are designed to do. Liver, kidneys, lung and skin are the best detox team there is going. Our bodies can do some amazing things that you can’t find in a juice or supplement, so just trust it knows what its doing. If you want to give it a helping hand, cut down on the alcohol and make sure you get your five a day.

Reason 2

A detox may make you unhealthier and put on weight in the long run

This one depends on the type of detox, but if you’re cutting out major food groups and not getting enough calories, your body panics and stores fat, essentially going into starvation mode. Once you come off the juices, you’ll put back on all the weight you lost during cleansing.

Don’t forget women typically need around 2000 calories a day. If you’re worried you aren’t getting enough of the right nutrients, try downloading the My Fitness Pal app. You can scan in everything you’ve eaten to clearly show what you aren’t eating enough of, and visa versa. It even tracks your activity levels and factors this in to your daily calorie requirements.

Reason 3

Hitting the gym? Expect to see your performance drop

If you’re running on empty, your body hasn’t got the calories and nutrients it needs to see you through your workout. Your January gym session is about to get painful!

If you’re cutting down on the carbs, you need to cut down on the exercise so you don’t cause yourself problems further down the line.

Reason 4

You’ll feel sad when you see other people enjoying a tasty meal

Our bodies tell us what they need, and if you’re living on celery and juice, it’ll be crying for something of substance. Don’t be that person longingly staring at someone else’s ham and cheese sandwich like a lost Labrador.

Instead, make sure you have at least 2 meals a day. There are SO many delicious recipes around right now that are super healthy and satisfying. Joe Wicks’ ‘Lean in 15’ books are amazing for whipping up quick healthy meals.

Reason 5

Fruit and veg isn’t as cheap as you’d think

When you’re only eating salads, and drinking juice, you use up your weekly shop way quicker than normal, you need more ingredients and things go off quickly. You’ll find yourself nipping into the convenience shop to pick up a few ‘bits’, which always comes to around £10. If like the rest of us, January is a tight month for you, a juice diet may not be the answer.

Instead try porridge oats for breakfast which are super cheap, healthy and filling. Or simply ditch the organic stuff, there’s barely any difference but it cost 30% more. That will help you save a petty penny.

If you want to work on your health this January, then sure, eat healthily, just don’t be stupid with it. It’s not good for your body or your mental health.

We’d recommend, cutting back on the alcohol and processed foods. Carry on eating the things you love, just in moderation. Taking time out for yourself is also key to a healthy body and mind, a monthly beauty present from yours truly is the perfect excuse to take a schedule in a little ‘me time’.

P.S - If you can’t overdo it at Christmas, when on earth can you? A member of the Roccabox team confessed she ate three trays of Guylian chocolates in under an hour. Three trays, ladies. Three. Just remember that next time you feel guilty about munching 4 leftover Quality Street’s.

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/get-treats-for-treating-yourself-with-roccabox-rewards2018-12-16T14:02:00+00:002018-12-16T14:04:53+00:00Get treats for treating yourself with Roccabox Rewards!Penny Banton
The team at Roccabox are always trying to find new ways to treat you ladies. We love you guys and want to show you how special you are!

So, we’re introducing Rocca Rewards! It’s the fab new way to gain and collect points to get yourself deals and freebies off our Roccabox products.

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/why-our-new-limited-edition-boxes-make-the-perfect-gifts-this-christmas2018-12-01T18:03:00+00:002019-01-10T09:55:57+00:00Why our new limited-edition boxes make the perfect gift this Christmas!Penny Banton

We all know that one person who has EVERYTHING and is almost impossible to buy for, the picky mum who just can’t decide and the dad who says he is fine with ‘just love and spending time with the family’ (but really, he has an exact idea of what he wants and will be disappointed if he receives nothing), it’s just so hard.

But don’t fear, here at Roccabox, we have you covered with our five brand new limited-edition boxes, that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of present receivers.

Introducing....

1. The Skincare Lover Box £18

If you know, you know, and with this box we can see ourselves living happily ever after. Jam- packed with yummy skincare products to test out, this box will leave your skin glowing when you need it most. The box features an Anatomicals Face Mask, Temple Spa Body Balm, Patchology restoring eye gel and much, much more. Plus, at only £18 this box is a steal and perfect for those not looking to burn a hole in their pocket when buying gifts...

.... Can I hear a yes please?

2. The Beautify Box £12

As we all know, getting ready to go out is half the fun! With this in mind, the beautify box has been specially prepared to provide everything you need to get glammed up and feeling sexy. Featuring Pureology Strength Cure shampoo and conditioner, Face scrubs, Eyeshadow, lip balm and a Make Me Shimmer highlighter pencil, we have you covered from the moment you step in the shower until you hit the dance floor. Oh...and did we mention it was only £12? (we won’t tell if you put this one aside for yourself).

3. The Makeup Lover Box £18

Yep you heard it right, we have designed a box full of goodies that is perfect for makeup lovers just like us! If you have a friend who lives, breaths (and even dreams about) makeup, this box is sure to put a smile on their face this Christmas. Featuring a gorgeous Boohoo liquid highlighter, Blank Canvas F01 makeup brush, Lord and Berry contour palette, Doucce Punk Volumizer mascara and Kiko Milano lipstick, the makeup lover box has everything you need to look FIERCE this holiday season.

4. The Jet Setter Box

Whether you’re about to go on a Christmas vacay for some winter sun, or you want to pull off that ‘I have just stepped off the plane’ look, this box is for you. We have curated the perfect travel size beauty box, full of products that your skin will thank you for and leave you glowing no matter where in the world you are. Featuring an Anatomicals Face Mask, Topika Coconut Facial Cleanser, St. Tropez Self-Tanning Water and more for just £15, this box will make the perfect gift for your loved ones (or yourself...).

5. The Roccabox ULTIMATE Gift Box

Try not to scream...but we are freaking out too! No longer do you have to worry about being the person who might give the worst present, because what says, ‘I love you girl’, more than the ULTIMATE Roccabox gift set. Worth over £60 and only priced at £35, this 14-product limited edition beauty hamper will make you look like you have put in sooo much effort! Featuring a Beefayre Winter Garden Candle, Coconut lane Rose Gold Marble notebook, Smash box Always on Liquid Lipstick, Deep cleansing mask Omorovicza among others, this box is what dreams are made of...

...So, what are you waiting for ladies? Go enjoy some stress-free shopping!

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/the-best-ways-to-take-a-little-me-time2018-11-15T14:11:00+00:002018-12-01T18:03:19+00:00The Best Ways To Take A Little 'Me' TimePenny Banton

Here’s how to totally boss your ‘me’ time and show yourself some love….

Are you feeling a little stressed and want a break from reality? Sure, you are. In this modern world, finding time to do the things you love each day has become almost impossible. Between building a boss girl life, finding the perfect man and devoting time to friends and family, you almost forget to take care of YOU. According to psychologists, having some regular ‘me’ time can have untold benefits for your mental state and even improve your sex life….no, i’m not kidding!

As revealed by Happify, taking regular time out for yourself each day can reboot the brain, lead to better self-awareness and make you more productive, meaning you can spend more time working on everything else! Are you wanting to figure out how to spend this ‘me’ time and feel amazing? You’ve come to the right place. We are going to share with you our top secrets here at Roccabox HQ, so you can fill your ‘me’ time right.

Indulge in a relaxing bubble bath

Sounds simple, right? Well it is! Studies have shown that soaking in a hot bath can reduce stress levels, clear the skin from toxins and even burn as many calories as a 30-minute walk! So, get off that treadmill ladies, grab some candles, a glass of wine and put on one of the delicious Freeman Beauty masks inside this month’s box. Time to relaaax.

Dive into a juicy book

Well, it might not be as juicy as some gossip but, according to researchers, reading a book has been shown to put our brains into a pleasurable trance-like state. So, it is kind of like alcohol but with less hangovers…who can say no to that?

Meditate

This one can be a bit tricky if you’re a busy bee that can’t sit still but, the benefits are amazing! Studies show that meditating for even a few minutes a day can help to clear your mind of any stress and re-focus, by taking the time to recognise and let go of any negative thoughts. The best part is that you can meditate in a group, so you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect corner in your room to cross your legs and chant ‘ommmbbb’…

Get some beauty sleep

Yes, it is a real thing! Did you know that a lack of sleep has serious implications for your skin? By not having enough sleep it can lead to dull, dry skin, dark circles and even quicken the ageing process…This can mean taking 20 minutes out of your day to have a nap or even going to bed a little earlier than usual. Trust me, you’ll thanks us when you feel and look like a queen.

Have a spa date…with yourself!

What could be better than getting out of a hot sauna, with a cute towel wrapped around your head, and giving yourself a mani-pedi? I’m not sure there is anything. In fact, there are so many benefits of having a spa day for both your body and mind. But spas can be expensive right? So why pay more when you can make your own right in the comfort of your home! Treat yourself to a Roccabox full of surprise beauty products and enjoy your very own spa experience.

*Psssstttt…..One of our favourite brands Freeman Beauty (voted the number one facemask brand in the US), who make naturally beautiful products for self-care have sneaked lots of their goodies into the November box, so treat yourself!

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/here-s-the-key-to-applying-foundation-like-a-pro-nail-your-base-once-and-for-all-this-month2018-02-08T06:00:00+00:002018-02-08T06:00:00+00:00Here’s the key to applying foundation like a pro: nail your base once and for all this monthAlex Fowler

What do you use as your barometer of how well you’ve applied your foundation? Is it when your selfie doesn’t require a filter AND a hefty dose of Facetune? Is it when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and don’t automatically scrutinise your coloured creases? At Roccabox HQ we’re pretty much in agreement that the number one way to determine that we’ve nailed our base is when we get compliments on how good our SKIN looks- as opposed to how good our foundation looks.

It isn’t always easy getting your foundation to look SO good that it passes as your skin, only better. Flawless foundation coverage isn’t a one stage process- it requires you to get all the elements right, and that includes making sure you’re using the right textured product for your own skin. Firstly, you’ve got to make sure you’re using a formula that suits your skin type. Not every skin type will benefit from a liquid foundation – there’s a place for powder bases, mineral foundation powders and cream-to-powder formulas too. As a general rule, drier skins can take a creamier formula whereas ‘normal’ skin benefits from a liquid. Oilier types should also stick to liquid, shunning the traditional go-to option of a powder foundation – this can end up looking cakey.

Once you’ve found the correct formula, it’s crucial that your foundation matches your skin colour. Basically, the colour should appear invisible on your skin. Ok, this might have been a given since you left your teenage years, leaving behind your trademark teen tide-marked necks and foundation that you matched to the colour you wished you were, rather than the colour you actually were (note to younger self – wearing toffee coloured foundation on alabaster skin does not give you the appearance of a tan. One day you will discover a decent bronzing powder to give you that sunkissed glow.) As well as colour-matching, you also need to think about skintone. MAC has made this pretty easy for us to understand – its foundations are split in to those for warm skintones, and those for cool skintones. Once you realise whether you have warm or cool tones to your complexion, it will make finding your true colour match so much easier.

So texture and colour are ticked off – what’s next? Consider what kind of finish your own skin will benefit most from. Do you want a dewy glow, to bring life to your naturally dehydrated skin? Or do you need a matte velvet finish to ensure your skin is camera-ready? Think about the look you want and the finish your own skin needs a little help with.

Once you’ve found your perfect foundation, it’s essential that you get the application right. If you don’t, you’re only going to get half the benefit of a good base. Firstly, you may not need foundation all over. Take a proper look at your face and only apply where it is needed – this may well be just your T-zone. A primer will help to blur the appearance of larger pores and even out your skin a little- this and a little foundation on your nose, chin and forehead, may be all you need. A foundation brush will allow you to apply foundation quickly, easily and effectively. It won’t retain as much product as applying with a sponge, and will ensure you give your foundation a flawless finish. The best way to apply a liquid foundation is with a short, dense brush, such as our favorite StyLondon’s Oval Foundation Brush £7.99*. Use it in circular movements for a light-to-medium coverage, loading the brush according to how much coverage you prefer. Alternatively, apply foundation, dotting it all over, before using your brush to paint and blend in different directions. This technique helps to prevent streaking – which stroking the brush in one direction can cause. Always start with a clean brush on well-moisturised skin – failure to do either of those can also lead to streaked results. If you’re using a thicker, creamier formula of foundation, feel free to swerve this step – using a brush can leave a streaked finish. But a liquid foundation always looks so much clearer and more flawless when applied with a foundation brush.

For an extra-smooth effect, finish with a sponge- gently pat it all over to blend the foundation in even more. This will pick up excess product that can become creased. To check your foundation, take a step back and take a look both from afar and then close up. If the application feels a little heavy, pat your skin with your naturally warm fingertips to help blend the foundation further and melt the makeup into the skin. This will make it look more natural.

The final step? Sit back, take a #nofilter selfie and let the compliments roll in.

Kicked off January with a detox? If you’re using this month to kick-start a healthy eating regime with a little detoxifying juice fast, or you decided to cut out alcohol after last month’s booze-athon, then you’re probably in the majority. Lots of us use the start of the new year to try and cleanse our livers and detoxify our bodies – whether it’s to shed a few pounds, to ditch the booze or to reboot our system. But how many of you have ever considered detoxifying your make-up bag? Or cleaning up your shower and bath products (no pun intended)? How often do you actually consider exactly what you’re putting into your skin? Ok, as beauty obsessives, we know that the products you use ON your skin are often at the forefront of your mind, but how often do you think about what you are feeding IN to your skin?

The products we use daily, weekly and monthly are full of ingredients – natural, chemical, organic or otherwise – and these ingredients are being absorbed by our bodies, so it’s wise to take a moment to reflect on what these ingredients are and the effect they’re having. We’re certainly not saying you should stop using any of your favorite products or that you should start cutting out your must-have cosmetics, but if you’ve been looking to have a little detox of your beauty cupboard then this month is a good time to kick it off (new year, new you and all of that...)

Want to start using less toxic, more chemical-free products, but don’t know where to begin or which ingredients to shun? Parabens are a good place to start. They can act like estrogen in the body, and higher estrogen exposures are linked to breast cancer. Many products contain parabens. Petroleum is another one that is good to go and it comes in many guises: petrochemicals are incredibly pervasive in beauty products, so many common ingredients are derived from them. Some of the common ingredients in beauty products that are petrochemical-derived include Parafin wax and (the very ‘natural’ sounding) Mineral oil. A huge health concern with petroleum products is that they can generate a substance known to potentially contribute to some cancers.

We’re not here to scare you, to stop you using the products you love, and of course you need to always interpret research in your own way. But if you’re looking to detoxify your beauty cupboard, then start by looking at the ingredients list in the products you use on your skin, body and hair every day.

We’ve taken out some of the legwork (and believe us, there’s a lot) that goes in to stripping away some of the nasties. Here’s our curated edit of cleaner beauty products that we love:

You shower daily (we assume), your skin is more absorbent when wet AND you inhale the steam during a shower, so it makes sense to use a toxin-free shower gel. This mild cleansing body wash is free from synthetic fragrance, color, preservatives and raw materials from mineral oils. Its fragrance can only really be described as ‘sunny’: if you could fill your bathroom with sunshine it would smell and feel like this. Just what we need on a cold January morning.

Scrumptious and invigorating, this body oil – chock full of juniper and grapefruit essential oils - will improve microcirculation (hello less cellulite) and reduce inflammation, while deeply nourishing and conditioning your skin. Use on damp skin post-shower. Use post-body brushing if you want to up the anti-cellulite factor (which, of course, you do.)

Ladies, put down the Vaseline. With soothing, nutrient-rich ingredients, this scrumptious petroleum-free balm will transform winter-worn lips and get them glowing again. See that subtle red hue? Yes, it’s your lips, only better.

* Included in your January Roccabox!

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/nails-inc-now-do-face-products-and-they-re-equally-as-brilliant-as-their-varnishes2018-01-14T06:00:00+00:002018-01-14T06:00:00+00:00Nails Inc now do face products - and they’re equally as brilliant as their varnishesAlex Fowler

When we say ‘Nails Inc’ what springs to mind? The grand-daddy of nail varnish brands, it’s our go-to brand when we want a) a nail varnish that won’t chip after, say, fifteen minutes and b) bang on-trend shades that are as imaginative and stylish as they are wearable. Basically, Nails Inc as a brand never fails to deliver. So imagine our excitement - and perhaps a little comprehension - when we heard that it was branching in to skincare. Would it be able to live up to its rock solid reputation and be as awesome at doing skin products as it is at doing nails? Well, it turns out, we needn’t have worried.

Face Inc by Nails Inc has launched these AMAZING INC.redible Masks £5, in THE cutest packaging, which have quickly become our must-have single-use product of choice. At just a fiver per pod they’re Ideal for throwing in your gym bag, leaving at your boyfriend's place or traveling with. The range features pods of single-use face masks, each with a different purpose. There’s an ‘Instant Detox’ sheet mask, a soothing night mask and ‘Carbon Neutral’, a purifying charcoal mask pod for congested complexions, that we’ve yet to try but have heard very good things about. Our favorite? The peel off ‘Rose Glow*’ version, a youth-boosting mask, packed full of Vitamin B3. We’ve stocked up and will be using religiously, twice a week, as part of our January efforts to restore our skin’s rosy glow.

Nails Inc, well done. You’ve nailed it again.

*Included in your January Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/make-this-the-month-that-you-get-your-glow-back2018-01-10T15:22:00+00:002018-01-10T15:22:05+00:00Make this the month that you get your glow backAlex Fowler

Started the year feeling - not to mention looking - a little bit, blah? Course you have. We all have. Well, all apart from the lucky ones that spent the entire festive period on a yoga retreat in Tulum, refueling sun-soaked Savasanas with coconut water and kombutcha. That’s not you? Then what you need now is a clutch full of tried-and-tested miracle products that will help your body, mind and skin restore, rebalance and regain the glow that they exuded before mince pies, late nights and champagne cocktails came along and messed it all up.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you, researching which products are most up to the task- and we've restored our very own glow in the process. Follow our lead, try these radiance-boosting products, and you’ll soon be seeing February in with a spring in your step and a shimmer on your cheekbones.

The one that is like a shot of espresso for your body… Optiat "The Hungover" Potent Peppermint Coffee Scrub £6.99* Need a morning pick-me-up that’s going to boost your body, nourish your skin and revive your senses after a month you can barely recall? This aptly named body scrub will rid your bod of dead skin cells and reveal baby-soft skin, while its invigorating minty-fresh scent will perk you up after a boozy few weeks. Think of it as a New Year’s detox for your skin. You’ll be feeling refreshed and zingy again before you can say ‘one double espresso please’.

The one that feeds your face vitamins….Sunday Riley Juno Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil £70 Made from cold pressed seed oils, superfoods, and a whole load of antioxidants omegas and vitamins, look at this nourishing face oil as one long refreshing vitamin-enriched smoothie for your very thirsty nutrient-deprived skin. Repairs lacklustre skin in a matter of weeks, restoring elasticity and hydrating parched complexions beautifully.

The one that gives hair a glass-like finish….Your mind, body and skin are all starting to just about recover from a month of partying, but what about those locks? The hair that starts to grow now is what was being fed a diet of canapes and mulled wine just a few weeks ago, so don’t be surprised if new hair is more dull and lifeless. Repair the signs of damage, restore moisture and shine and regain control over frazzled locks (damn all that party period curling tong use) with O&M Frizzy Logic Shine Serum £23

The one that nourishes while it clears….Face Inc Rose Glow Youth Boosting Peel Off Mask £5* A festive period fueled by sugar, alcohol, a lack of sleep and little time for a skincare regime (face wipes don’t count) can leave skin looking congested, but dry. Use this brand new mask to - quite literally - peel away impurities and dead skin cells, and reveal a youthful glow beneath the older, Christmas-time skin. A powerful blend of moisture-boosting actives and Vitamin B3 work together to help minimize the signs of ageing, increase skin elasticity and illuminate a dull complexion, ensuring skin feels soft and silky smooth after every use. Extra points for the packaging - a single-use skin shot, in a cute pod, that can also be used on the hands and body, as well as the face.

And if all else fails…

The ones that help you fake it….If your skin is taking a while to fully restore itself and is struggling to clear up any Christmas-induced breakouts, plus it isn’t quite as dewy as you’d like, then don’t despair. You know what they say, fake it ‘til you make it. What you need is a densely-pigmented yet light highlighting make-up product that delivers just the right amount of shimmer to your skin, to imply that your complexion is glowing and radiant from within. Blend Saturated Colour Make Me Shimmer Highlighter Pencil £6* onto freshly moisturised cheekbones, in to the corners of eyelids, and above the cupid’s bow. Its creamy blendeable crayon formula is perfect for a fresh and natural hint of shimmer. If bare skin needs a little more assistance, apply a very light coat of The Ordinary Serum Foundation £5.75 first, which will nourish the skin while giving just the right amount of coverage to even out a patchy skintone and mask any problem areas first.

Want to find out some more about January's box curator before the box lands on your doorstep? Here we ask Penny a few questions to give you a look into the beauty world, through the eyes of a business woman beauty junkie.

Hi Penny, tell us a bit about yourself and your upcoming Roccabox edit?

I’m the editor and founder of TheStyleLane.com. As a fellow beauty addict and product obsessive, it’s a totalpleasure to collaborate with Roccabox on this month’s edit - the very first of 2018! It’s the perfect time for fresh starts, new beginnings and exciting discoveries, so what better way to kick off January than with The Glow Getter Roccabox?

The first month of the year can be so many things. A little tough to get used to at first, especially after the festive frivolities, but equally invigorating and oh-so refreshing to get back on track, motivated and ready to make it your best yet. Of course, a new skincare or make-uptreat helps along the way.

What's your New Year’s beauty resolution?

To stop picking away at nail varnish. Once I notice a tiny chip, the whole lot comes off. Remembering to apply eye cream is number two on the list, to keep that delicate skin happy.

What are you most looking forward to in 2018?

Exciting business opportunities and sunshine escapes! Every year, after Christmas is over, I’m ready and waiting for summer to arrive.

It has to be a self-tan related faux pas. Too many orange palms witnessed over the years to count. I also seriously regret over-plucking my brows as a teenager. They never grow back as full.

Your first ever beauty purchase?

Pretty sure it was a selection of Barry M glitter pots.

Your best beauty tip?

I’m obsessed with overnight treatments. Anything to multitask! Sudocrem on blemishes is an old favourite. I swear by coconut oil to hydrate and make your hair grow - Sister & Co. is just the best. Margaret Dabbs’ foot treatment is another miracle worker, working its magic while you catch some beauty sleep. Plus, always give your skin a good massage after cleansing, to boost circulation and help the facial muscles to relax. I really notice a difference in the morning.

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/it-s-time-to-start-thinking-about-your-new-year-gym-resolutions-yes-really2017-12-27T06:30:00+00:002017-12-27T06:30:00+00:00It’s time to start thinking about your New Year gym resolutions… yes, reallyAlex Fowler

It’s that funny time of year again isn’t it? You know, that seriously weird few days between Christmas and New Year, when quite frankly, you don’t know what to do with yourself. As if in some strange sort of festive purgatory, you find yourself wondering whether it’s still ok to be eating all the (mince) pies or whether you should be dusting off your Nikes. Love Actually on repeat has (finally) lost its appeal and quite frankly the Christmas spirit is starting to wear thin. Ok, granted, most of us still plan on spending this precious week off work finishing off the last of the truffles, polishing off the quality street and sipping up all the rhubarb gin, before the January detox begins. But, if you want to get ahead of the masses and - gasp - start easing your way back into a gym routine, then we’ve got a few things that will make it slightly less painful. We’ve compiled a collection of gym-bag beauty heroes that will help to make returning to working out that little bit more fun.

Weleda Arnica Sports Shower Gel £7.95

A post-weights shower is transformed if you keep this in your gym bag. Packed full of rosemary and lavender essential oils, and soothing arnica, it’s free from synthetic nasties - so it won’t lather up as much as some of its peers - but it won’t strip your skin’s natural oils, either.

Mio Skincare Workout Wonder Invigorating Muscle Gel £21

This product in five words? A massage in a bottle. Still need convincing?A combo of arnica, magnesium, horse chestnut and spearmint instantly cool skin, boost circulation, ease muscular aches and speed up recovery. So we’re ready to go again the next day.

Oil’ A Nurturing Body Paper €1.30*

This totally natural body oil is a bit of an undiscovered gem for gym-goers. Instead of your usual bottle of body oil (hello leaky lids and ruined gym kit) the body oil is pressed into a totally handy, easy to use and travel-friendly wipe. One quick swipe post-shower and you can say hello to a super soft bod and glowing limbs that show no sign of winter dryness.

Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara £18

No longer a gym no-no, make-up does now have its place in the gym (how else are you supposed to look good in your changing room selfie?!) This is not only sweat and smudge-proof, it also pulls up and curls lashes beautifully.

Living Proof Healthy Hair Dry Shampoo £14

Dry shampoo won’t clean your hair, but a good one will leave you in a semi-presentable state until you can wash it. This absorbs excess moisture, eliminates odour and refreshes locks that have survived a sweaty spin sesh.

Been burning the candles at both ends? Of course you have! Who doesn’t spend the entire month of December foregoing sleep in favour of Prosecco nights and bottomless brunches, while permanently reasoning with themself that ‘it’s Christmas’ (we conveniently forget that Christmas is actually just one day. But let’s not be a stickler for detail.) While it’s all fun and games (very fun) the first casualty of all these nights out - apart from sleep - is our skin. Turning pale (even under that contouring), slightly spotty and just generally rather blah, while we’re the life and soul of the party, our skin is gradually becoming lifeless. It’s the first giveaway that you’ve not been getting your eight hours, sticking to a healthy diet (Terry’s chocolate orange does NOT count towards your five a day) or - gasp - taking your make-up off properly at before bed. But fear not, while there are only ten more days left to party like it’s 2017, make the most of it. Just stock up on the following skin-saviours and make-up heroes, and you can fake a glow that says ‘I had a facial, followed by ten hours sleep.’ When in reality... well, let’s not go there.

The eye cream version of Charlotte’s seriously amazing Magic Cream is as good at plumping out fine lines and pepping up your peepers as you would expect from an A-list fave. Use on a morning to pad out dehydration lines caused by too much booze, but don't apply any at night: little known fact, eye creams can actually cause puffiness, exacerbating the effects of a late night.

There is a reason this has a cult following. This high definition radiance skin perfector is like a good night’s sleep in a tube. Deeply moisturizing and anti-ageing it will deliver a dose of colour-correcting pigments, brightness and radiance to a tired, dull complexion instantly.

This best-selling mask, gives your complexion a mega hit of o2 and heaps of glow-boosting vitamin C: ideal during silly season as we flood our bodies with toxins – alcohol, caffeine to keep us going, all those fat-laden canapes– and then make it worse with a severe lack of sleep, and zero time in the gym. Expect more radiant youthful skin, that’s supercharged to defend itself against all those horrible toxins, and doesn’t let on that you’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Hangover? What hangover?

*included in your December Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/why-we-wont-complain-if-santa-leaves-us-coal-this-year2017-12-11T06:00:00+00:002017-12-11T06:00:00+00:00Why we won't complain if Santa leaves us lumps of coal this year...Alex Fowler

From treating acne to whitening teeth, you’d have to be living under a rock (or piece of coal) to not be aware of the lauded beauty benefits of activated charcoal. If we aren’t being told what a brilliant skin cleanser it makes, we’re seeing it added to our smoothies and clogging up our Insta feed (there seem to be a LOT of celebs using charcoal toothpaste these days.) So should we believe the hype? Well, in a word, yes. Activated charcoal, which is carbon that's been treated to increase its absorbency, isn't new. It's been used in A&E for years to treat alcohol poisoning and drug overdoses. It works by attaching itself to toxins in the stomach and absorbing them before the bloodstream can. So, to translate that in to beauty products, it means that in theory, by including activated charcoal in cosmetics, it does something similar, acting like a magnet to attract and absorb dirt and oil. And it would seem the theory works just as well in practice: we’ve found a fair few products that contain activated charcoal, that are really bloody good. Coincidence? We think not. So here’s our edit of the top charcoal-enriched beauty products on the market right now. They make it worth being on Santa's naughty list.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Primer

This lightweight matte primer, which is made with Moroccan clay and purifying charcoal, doesn’t actually shrink your pores (that just isn’t possible) but it does make for an effective base for foundation, leaving skin looking pore-less and clear.

Julep Konjac Sponge

Made from the fibrous root of the konjac plant and infused with activated-charcoal powder, this packs one mighty deep-cleansing punch. Soften it with water before gently rubbing it over clean, damp skin, in a circular motion, then rinse. Use to double up the benefits of your cleanser or on skin that doesn’t seem to benefit from a standard single cleanse.

Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Sheet Mask*

Charcoal works wonders on acne-prone skin, by fighting acne-causing germs, sucking out impurities, reducing inflammation and keeping your pores clean. So, what happens when you add the detoxifying quality of charcoal to the spot-busting benefits of salicylic acid? You get a sheet mask that will transform flagging, blemished, irritated skin overnight.

Erborian Black Scrub

The Koreans were on to charcoal powder already- it’s been known in Korea for its mattifying properties for a while. Add cotton micro fibers and you have this triple-action exfoliating scrub mask, which will rid skin of impurities, eliminate dead cells and absorb excess sebum, for a mattifying effect.

Raw Coconut & Activated Charcoal Tooth Whitening Polish

If you can get your head around rubbing black charcoal on your teeth to WHITEN them then go right ahead. A great alternative for anyone who suffers from sensitive teeth when using traditional whitening products.

*included in your December Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/the-naked-eye-how-to-find-the-other-perfect-nude-in-your-life2017-12-08T06:00:00+00:002017-12-08T06:00:00+00:00How to find the OTHER perfect nude in your lifeAlex Fowler

We hear plenty of chatter about how important it is to find the perfect nude lip, but we bet you’ve never considered how life-changing it could be (well, face-changing at the very least) if you nailed the perfect nude eye. Want to make your whole face look ‘can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-why’ better? Course you do. So, how about you put down your Nude Kate (Charlotte Tilbury’s queen buff lippie) and get on board with pulling off a nude eye. The new nude, if you please. Because those glossy aubergine lips of this season are going to need to be paired with a very naked-looking eye and if you hadn’t already heard, Spring/ Summer ’18 (which IS just around the corner) is all about pared-back pared-down beauty.

Much like the nude lip quest, the route to finding your ideal nude eyeshadow can be tricky – but once you nail it, you’ve found a friend for life. The best shade of nude for your face will brighten your complexion, make your eyes dazzle and will light up your entire look. So it’s worth the slog. Here are some tips for getting it right:

Skin TONE matters more than skin COLOUR

Your skin colour can vary from month to month, becoming lighter with less sun exposure and darker at other times. However what never changes is your skin tone – whether your skin is warm or cool. Greenish veins signal warm skin, bluish veins mean cool – as a general guide- but also look for whether your skin has more of a yellow undertone or pink. Determine your skintone and you will be much better at finding colours that suit you, flatter your complexion and ‘lift’ your entire look. Think ‘neutral’ and match like with like, so fair skin that is warm in tone tends to look better with a buttery sand shade, while fair complexions with a cool undertone will suit a slightly rosier taupe.

Stay within your own 4 shades

Once you find your palette – warm or cool - you can play around with depth, pigment and colours, but stick to within four shades of your natural skin colour, to keep the look in ‘nude’ territory. Remember your aim is mimic the natural colour of your lids– a little like finding foundation for your face. This isn’t about making a bold colour statement.

Create your own bespoke colour

Cougar 6 Shades of Nude eyeshadow palette, £13* features six shades of shimmering nude shadow, allowing you to play around and blend until you find that perfect nude. Stick to one or two of the colours or mix and match all six, until you nail that perfect shade.

*included in your December Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/the-ultimate-box-has-landed2017-12-05T12:42:00+00:002017-12-05T12:42:51+00:00The Ultimate Box has landed....(get ready to spoil yourself...)Alex Fowler
At Roccabox, we don’t need an excuse to spoil you – which is why we've just launched our biggest Roccabox yet. From December 1st, for a limited time only, you can purchase the Roccabox Ultimate Box. This mega bumper box will indulge all your beauty needs – it contains fourteen lusted-after products, a well-curated selection of our most popular items of 2017 and a pick 'n' mix of skincare, make-up, hair, bodycare, fragrance, tanning, pamper products and beauty tools. This is a one-off purchase, priced at £35 (and worth more than double that) so you don’t need to sign up for a subscription – which makes it the ultimate Christmas gift for your mum, your sister, your bestie, or yourself.

We could give you hundreds of reasons why you need to grab THE ultimate pamper hamper, but here are our top three:

It will give you your best skin ever. Seriously.

Want to re-discover that glow your skin seems to have been left behind somewhere in summer? Having some skin issues that you’d like to sort out? Want 2018 to be the year you transform your skin? Answer yes to any- or all- of the above and you’ve got enough reason to purchase the Roccabox Ultimate Box. Containing not one, not two, but FIVE incredible, targeted products from some of the world’s leading skincare brands, you will quite literally be able to turn your skin around. Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads are rumoured to be Kylie Jenner’s favourite way to remove make-up; Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil with coconut and argan oil and Bliss Fabulous Make-Up Melt Gel-To-Oil Cleanser will give your skin the ultimate double-cleanse; the Omorovicza Deep cleansing mask draws out the deepest of impurities; while Murad’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains a triad of spot-busting, exfoliating, brightening acids.

It’s a treat for your mind, as well as your body

As well as your skincare, haircare and some carefully chosen make-up items, we’ve thrown in some unexpected extras. The uber-chic Coconut Lane Rose Gold Marble notebook will help you to stay organised, while making sure your to-do lists are always beautifully stylish; the Spacemask – which actually warms up and is infused with the relaxing scent of jasmine – is a serous upgrade on your current eye mask (plus it looks way snazzier and more Insta-worthy) and you can transform your bathroom in to a winter wonderland-spa hybrid with a Beefayre Winter Garden candle.

It will save you hours in the week

No time to wash your hair? No problem, Soap & Glory’s handbag-sized dry shampoo, will not only sort out greasy locks, it is pimped up with ‘touch-release’ technology, which means that when you ruffle your fingers through your hair, there’ll be a friction-activated burst of mandarin rose and bergamot fragrance. Bloomtown Botanicals Roll-on Infused Oil is a gorgeous handbag-sized oil fragrance has an essential oil/ vitamin E blend that means it doubles up as an antidote to dry skin and can even be used to conceal split ends. Skin looking dull, pale and dry but no time for a fake tan, let alone a facial? Don’t worry about it. St.Tropez Self Tan Express Face Sheet Mask is a revolutionary tan-infused sheet mask, that’s easy and super convenient, and will tan your face to your desired depth of glow whilst giving skin a mega dose of hydration, thanks to its Hyaluronic Acid. Cue dewy skin that boasts a flawless sunkissed glow, in minutes.

As well as all of this, you’ll also find in your Roccabox Ultimate Box a 3-in-1 hydrating long-lasting lip colour, Milani HD Advanced Lip Colour in Candy Apple; the PERFECT nude lip in the form of Smashbox's Always On Liquid Lipstick in Drivers Seat; and a Blank Canvas Quick Brush – a vegan-friendly antibacterial foundation brush that not only helps you to nail a flawless complexion, it looks pretty damn gorgeous in your make-up bag.

So go on, what are you waiting for? Spoil yourself....

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/get-skin-like-a-model-just-in-time-for-christmas2017-11-23T06:30:00+00:002017-11-23T06:30:00+00:00Get skin like a model just in time for ChristmasAlex Fowler

Anyone else’s skin suffering from the November blues? Just as our complexions have adjusted to the (seriously drastic) drop in temperature, and just as we’ve introduced a new serum to our skincare regime to counterbalance the drying effects of upping the central heating (Skinceuticals HA Intensifier Serum, FYI) we’re now faced with the onslaught of breakouts, creases and sallow colour that comes with the alcohol-infused, sleep-deprived territory that is Christmas. Well fear not. There are still 4 and half weeks left until Christmas, so even if you deduct a few days to allow for a few hangovers (nobody wants to start getting busy with skincare on a hangover. They are what cleansing wipes were invented for) that’s plenty of time to transform winter-worn, dried-out, wine-ravaged skin, so that you have a gorgeous glow come Christmas. Follow our simple festive period skincare rules below, and we promise you’ll come out the other side of Chrimbo gleaming.

Add an extra step to your skincare routine

Yes, we know you’re too busy partying/present shopping/mince-pie 'testing', but hear us out: this will literally take you a few seconds but could seriously transform your skin. Spritz freshly cleansed skin with a hyaluronic acid-rich spray - we love Balance Me Plumping Mist, £16 - and you’ll boost hydration levels. Layer on your moisturizer and spritz again to finish.

Exfoliate regularly, but cleverly

Over-exfoliating delicate sensitized skin isn’t a clever move. What IS clever is gently exfoliating regularly, as part of your cleansing routine, in a way that WILL rid your skin of dulling dead cells, but WON’T aggravate dry skin that’s already feeling a little sensitive. An acid-based exfoliating cleanser like Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, £35* ** will remove dry flakey cells and reveal fresh clear skin. What’s special about this exfoliating cleanser – which you can use daily – is it contains a triad of skin perfecting acids- Salicylic, Lactic and Glycolic – which makes it a triple threat against dull skin, giving the complexion a deep clean and buffing it until it's smoother, clearer and brighter.

Go alcohol-free for at least 3 nights a week

This one needs little explanation. No we don't mean alcohol-free skincare products (although that's good too), we mean no sipping on the naughty stuff. Just for three days a week - that is totally do-able. Do it and your skin, body, waistline and boss will be grateful.

Boost your skin from within

There are plenty of yummy seasonal foods that don't involve pastry/custard/Bailey's. Brussel sprouts are rich in vitamin C, and turkey and walnuts are both decent sources of acne-busting zinc. Make a skin-saving anti-inflammatory morning smoothie to help counter the effects of the night before's booze. Include anti-inflammatory turmeric and warming ingredients such as cardammon and cinnammon, plus pineapple, Vitamin-c rich clementines and coconut milk, and enhance it further with a spoonful of melted coconut oil and a pinch of black pepper - both of which help your body to absorb the benefits of the turmeric.

Say yes to magnesium

Magnesium is your Christmas miracle mineral. It will draw out impurities (of which we assume there will be plenty) from your body, when you bathe in it. Try an Epsom Salt bath – which is rich in magnesium – to draw out toxins and relieve water retention. For an extra boost, treat skin with a magnesium-rich product too. Omorovicza’s Deep cleansing Mask, £60* is a refreshing alternative to all the sheet masks doing the rounds. High in calcium and – you guessed it- magnesium, this deep cleansing facial treatment draws out even the deepest impurities, leaving skin perfectly purified.

* included in your November Roccabox

** Use code DISCOVERMURAD at checkout to redeem your exclusive 15% OFF introductory offer. Offer cannot be combined with any other coupon, offer or promotion. We reserve the right to substitute items and change and/or cancel promotions at any time. Offer valid on murad.co.uk only. Valid until 31 December 2017.

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/tempted-to-try-out-kate-moss-s-latest-take-on-the-croydon-facelift-you-ll-want-to-read-this-first2017-11-22T12:53:00+00:002017-11-22T13:00:38+00:00Tempted to try out Kate Moss’s latest take on the Croydon facelift? You’ll want to read this first…Alex Fowler

She’s at it again. No, not that. Kate Moss is garnering negative comments this week– and this time it’s for her unorthodox anti-ageing tips. We’ve all heard of the Croydon facelift- tying your hair in to a ridiculously tight high ponytail, to pull the skin until it’s taut and wrinkle-free. Well, now there’s a new faux facelift in town. Kate’s been telling Vogue, this month, that on shoots stylists often tie hair into tight braids – hidden of course – in order to pull the skin and iron out wrinkles. We say it’s the new faux facelift- it’s actually been around for yonks. Apparently it was the way to re-touch wrinkles when photoshop and filters hadn’t yet been invented. So what’s wrong with this? Sounds perfectly legit to us – surely it’s just a natural and pain-free alternative to smoothing wrinkles out with an injection? Well according to leading trichologists, we should be very wary of the impact this kind of style has, not on our skin, but on our hair. Apparently, pulling the hair in this kind of way, so tightly and for an extended period of time, can lead the follicle to become damaged and can cause hair loss and damaged hair. Still fancy trying out the Croydon facelift of 2018 but don’t want to damage your locks? Or maybe you are suffering from damaged, brittle locks anyway – perhaps through over-reliance on curling tongs or because you were desperate to nail next season’s hottest hair colour (dirty pink as seen at Alexander Wang SS’18. FYI)? Or maybe you just want long, luscious locks??

Try these products, which are guaranteed to restore your locks, revitalize your scalp and re-encourage your hair to grow healthy, long and, most importantly, strong. #stronghairdontcare

If you’ve never used this before and you suffer from dry or damaged locks, then get acquainted fast. There’s a reason this pre-shampoo treatment is a bestseller. Expect to become pretty dependent, pretty fast.

Not many products are able to do what this sulphate-free duo can: create hair that’s strong- but soft. So if your hair’s feeling brittle, looking dull, is colour-damaged or just doesn’t have that insta-worthy shine you’d like it to have, then this luxurious hair-treating system could well be your answer

Don’t even think about blow-drying damaged hair unless you’ve protected it with this. An anti-breakage blow-dry milk that will help to seal the cuticle and add shine, you need this in your arsenal of products if you can’t be parted from your beloved heated appliances (hard, we know.)

If you need a little extra help in the growth department, then this treatment – as well as regular scalp massage – can help to boost circulation, fertilise hair follicles and encourage hair growth. If you suffer from thinning hair or unexplained hair loss, then seeing a doctor or trichologist is recommended to plan the best course of treatment, however for anyone wishing to encourage healthy growth, this is a great product.

* Included in your November Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/if-you-re-a-make-up-junkie-you-really-need-to-know-about-this-us-brand2017-11-03T12:24:00+00:002017-11-03T12:24:29+00:00If you’re a make-up junkie you really need to know about this US brandAlex Fowler

Pride yourself on your ability to discover new beauty brands? So do we. There are resounding squeals of delight in the Roccabox office when we discover our new favorite CLW (can’t live without) brand. The brand that’s taking that accolade this month? Milani Cosmetics: the make-up brand hailing from the U.S, that’s become our go-to for, well, everything. From its super large spectrum of shades to its oh-so-cute packaging, we can’t get enough of Milani. The bonus? Everything is seriously reasonably priced: not as expensive as you’d expect from a brand of this quality, everything in the Milani Cosmetics range has a price point that puts it in that mid-range category that we can afford for everyday essentials. And that's exactly what this brand delivers- everyday essentials that also look bloody gorgeous in our make-up bag. Like we needed another reason to indulge our obsession even more. So if you consider yourself a make-up junkie, then you need to get to know Milani, like, right now.

It's just too hard to whittle it down to just one, so we’ve picked out our three must-have pieces from the Milani collection. You won’t be disappointed….

Erm, hello, have you seen how adorable the packaging is? We LOVE the rose theme: see how the powder compact has been sculpted to look like a rose? SO pretty. If you can bring yourself to actually use this gorgeous product, its highly pigmented powder blush is ideal for creating a pop of colour, or for giving cheeks a natural flush. Coming in 11 rosy shades - continuing with the rose idea, each shade is named after a different rose – there’s a mix of warm and cool hues, with a mix of matte and shimmer finishes. Our fave shades? For a subtle finish we like Romantic Rose - a matte soft blushed pink that suits all skintones; go for Warm Petals when you have a light tan, to give skin a subtle wash of bronze with a hint of gold shimmer; or opt for Love Potion to give cooler skin a pop of fuschia.

So much more than your average lippie, this 3-in-1 lip colour hydrates and nourishes the lips while giving a long-lasting highly-pigmented colour wash. The twelve shades are all so gorgeous it’s hard to pick a favourite (Rich Caramel and Classy Nude are both strong contenders for best nude shade EVER). We’re relying on this to keep our lips looking great and feel kissably-soft as winter’s notorious lip-chapping weather starts to creep in...

It was seriously difficult picking a third product – we felt so torn between this and a very effective eyeshadow primer – but this hydrating and illuminating setting spray swung it for us as it has swiftly become a make-up bag staple for more than half of our office in recent weeks. Make It Dewy Setting Spray Hydrate Illuminate & Set can be used under make-up to cool and hydrate the skin (making it our gym-bag essential) or as a primer, illuminating the skin as it works its magic. Used over make-up it helps to ‘lock in’ make-up, keeping it place for up to 16 hours. Just think of the nights out you can have with that. Helping to ensure our faces stay crease/smudge/fade free, this has become our make-up hero, especially now that our workdays are morphing in to post-work drinks more frequently.

Ladies, say hello to the really amazing Really Ree: real name Anne-Marie Lodge and your November Roccabox curator. As the brains behind the UK's biggest beauty blog, we know she needs no introduction, but we simply couldn't resist! In her own words, Ree's blog is about 'keeping it real for ordinary people'

Current lust-have?

My most luxurious must have right now is quite a splurge. I am obsessed with La Mer Renewal Oil and I’m now on my 2nd bottle! It’s so good. It is so calming, soothing, hydrating, smoothing and firming and it even tackles the patches of eczema I sometimes get on my hairline. It’s the ultimate glow-giver and it’s amazing on the tops of cheekbones or lightly pressed all over the face to bring your makeup back to life.

Current must-have?

I am totally obsessing over the Stylpro Makeup Brush Cleaner & Dryer. I have been aware of it for ages, but I never thought it would actually work! I got the Rose Gold edition to feature and I’m literally obsessed with it. My foundation brushes have never been cleaner!

Beauty muse?

I am kind of obsessed with Rihanna again. And I love her take on beauty with the Fenty launch. She has the most beautiful juicy plump skin that glows for days. Love her.

First ever make-up item:

My first makeup item that I bought over and over again was the YSL Touch Éclat gold pen. I remember once Superdrug had a massive deal on them and I bought four at once! It is still in my beauty arsenal today. I love the limited editions.

Skin-deep beauty tip:

I always use a hydrating serum, and I also love to mix serums or a drop of oil into foundation to boost glow and nourishment.

I’ll never buy in to…

Straight hair! I never say never, but I am absolutely obsessed with waving my hair and rarely wear my hair straight these days. It doesn’t feel like me without a bit of movement in my hair.

I’m most excited by…

Anything brand new! New beauty launches are what keep me going. I love writing about newness - it’s like an addiction. If I am the first person to write about it, it makes me even more excited!

It’s coming up to Christmas party season (no, really) which means there’ll be plenty of impromptu post-work Proseccos and mad dashes from the office to the bar/ Christmas party/ dinner with the girls. Your desk drawer is going to need an arsenal of failsafe products that will swiftly transform your look from office-appropriate to office-inappropriate. Because let’s face it, the natural eye and bare lips that work at work simply won’t cut it when you and your glam girls are going out-out.

We all know contouring is strictly for photos and evenings, so keep this brand new miracle product in your desk drawer and use it to amp up your look once the sun has started to set. No need for a fresh application of foundation, just apply to your existing daytime make up to carve out killer cheekbones and sculpt a more defined selfie-ready face in minutes.

The ultimate day-to-night shade, a wash of this highly pigmented deep burgundy over lids will transform your face. The plus side is this shade looks best when paired with a nude bronzed face (see below**) and bare lips, so you don’t need to do much more to your face.

Sexy, vampy, and a shade that screams night owl, this lippie is just begging to be worn on a night out. Yes, we have noticed that this is dark blue, and no, it isn’t a Halloween-related joke. A blue lipstick weirdly holds the power to make teeth look whiter and eyes look brighter. Layer over your daytime red and watch it transform in to a deep berry shade, that – crucially – won’t bleed.

Plus, if you're planning ahead, now's the time to book in for the following treatments. You'll thanks us later...

Brow tinting– a good brow tint or treatment can transform your face, and means you can leave your brow pencil/powder/gel at home, without compromising your face. Too many parties, too little time to pop to the beauticians? Unlike a lash tint, which we would suggest leaving to the pro’s, you can tint your own brows at home, using Godefroy Instant Eyebrow Tint Permanent Colour Kit in Light Brown £7.

Lash extensions- a professional set of lash extensions should last three weeks, before you need an infill: perfect amount of time to see you fluttering through those festive party invites. Expect to pay between £50 and £120 for a really good set. If they’re any cheaper than that be aware they may not look as pro or last quite as long.

A seriously good fake tan** applied the night before (or a layer of instant tan applied in the office loo) will mean that you can- just about- get away without any extra foundation, blush and bronzer. For an instant fix try our beloved Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish*

*included in your October Roccabox

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/warning-you-will-probably-become-addicted-to-this-product2017-10-16T07:00:00+01:002017-10-16T07:00:00+01:00Warning: You will probably become addicted to this product...Alex Fowler

We know you’re sick of being inundated with product taglines that promise the world and don’t deliver, but at Roccabox you can trust us to only say a product is really good, if it’s, well, bloody brilliant. Why? Because we’re a bunch of hard-to-please women with some pretty high standards when it comes to the beauty products we use. So when we find a product that we cannot get enough of, then you need to sit up and take notice. Enter our current obsession: Vita Liberata Mini Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish £5*. Yes, we’ve come to accept that summer is over, so the tan has long-faded and you’re wondering why we have suddenly become obsessed with - what it essentially - an instant tanning product. Well, we’re about to tell you. Body Blur is no ordinary instant tan. There’s no denying it does a pretty great job of giving skin a gorgeous colour – expect a coffee-coloured shade that has no telltale orange undertones. But it’s the ‘blurring’ element of this product that elevates it to super-product status. The clever cream formula leaves skin with a high-definition finish, with imperfections, pigmentation and skin issues such as stretch marks, camouflaged to perfection. Think of it as a heavy-duty foundation that hides all the bits you don’t like and leaves you with flawless sunkissed skin to rival a VS model. Yes – it is that good. Amazingly flattering when used on legs (a haven for imperfections) we guarantee that once you try using Body Blur on bare skin before a night out, you will become hooked. Still not convinced? These are the top 5 things we love about Vita Liberata's wonder product. Get ready to become just as smitten as we are…

It garners compliments in weird places

It was our editor that first discovered Vita Liberata’s Body Blur range, while walking through John Lewis one lunchtime, en route to a meeting. Stopping to test it, she applied a little to her forearm, before hurrying off to said lunch and forgetting all about it. Over the next hour she had no less than three compliments on how good her arm looked: a true testament to how good Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish is (because let’s face it – when were you last complimented on your forearm?)

We can say goodbye to cellulite (albeit temporarily)

This does to your body what a seriously good foundation does to your face. Spider veins, bruises, even cellulite…no flaw can withstand the coverage of Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish. We aren’t saying that these imperfections are going for good – that would just be ridiculous – but if they’re gone for a few hours, so we can flash our pins on a night out and feel amazing – we’ll take it.

We don’t HAVE to wave goodbye to our tan

If lilywhite skin isn’t your thing – even as winter looms – then this product is your new bestie. It gives pale skin a hint of a tint and takes naturally (or faux) tanned skin to a deeper shade, leaving it with a glowing finish, thanks to its light-reflecting particles.

Our White Company sheets are grateful to us (and so is the 'other half')

As our new favorite all-rounder gives skin a very believable nut-brown tan, we’re banishing our usual fake tan – you know, the kind you apply before bed, that leaves your sheets stained orange and your sleeping partner moaning about the smell – to the back of the cabinet.

And if all that isn’t enough to convince you…

We don’t need to filter the cr*p out of our pics anymore

This seriously does deliver flawless skin in seconds. It’s basically airbrushing in a (very cute, very handbag-friendly) tube. So just apply to bare skin or over the top of a base tan, for camera-ready skin in a flash. #NoFilter. Still don’t believe us? Try it for yourself* and let us know what you think below.....

So double-cleansing is now wrong and acids aren’t always our skin’s BFF: it’s time to start re-thinking your cleansing routine. According to a handful of dermatologists, some of the skin habits we’ve adopted on a regular basis, that we thought were giving us a good old healthy glow, may actually be doing our skin more harm than good. It seems that some of the elements of our routine – most notably our cleansing routine – could actually be having a negative impact on our skin in the long-term and so we need to re-address the way we cleanse. We know, we know- it’s yet another beauty thing that you just thought you’d nailed, a routine you had down to a T, that we’re now telling you is all wrong. But if your skin’s health is a priority and you’re open to tweaking your current skincare regime then keep reading, for the most up-to-date way to clean your skin.

Double cleansing shouldn’t be necessary…

One cleanse – done well – should be enough. If your skin is becoming taught and feeling (and looking) tight after a cleanse, you’ve gone too far. By over-cleansing your skin (that’s cleansing more than once, when it isn’t necessary) you run the risk of disrupting the skin’s natural barriers, leaving it susceptible to triggering skin issues, dryness and sensitivity. YES if you've just killed a particularly strenuous Bikram sesh and you're drenched in sweat, or you've gone slightly OTT with the contouring products, by all means, cleanse and cleanse again, but it shouldn’t be a part of your daily routine. A hard-working, make-up busting cleanser, based on oils that will melt away the grime and impurities, is all you should need in your daily routine. Try Bliss Fabulous Make Up Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser £24* for skin that is left deeply cleansed, yet soft and plump

…but cleansing TWICE a day, IS necessary

We aren’t ones to skip an evening cleanse – ok, sometimes when we’ve had a couple of glasses too many or we’ve binge-watched Power and fallen asleep on the sofa – but we don't have to remind you of what a no-no it is. Nighttime is when your skin rejuvenates and skin cells regenerate and this just can’t be done effectively when pores are full of impurities, oils, dirt and make-up. Not only that, if you haven’t cleansed then you sure as hell won’t be moisturizing/treating the skin with a serum or night cream, so that’s a double no-no. Morning cleansing is an area where we tend to need a little more convincing – seeing as we don’t wake up with a face full of make-up we often forgo a morning cleanse in favour of a lie-in, especially those of us that are evening-shower kinda peeps. But missing out on your morning cleanse is to miss a trick – a good morning clean will increase circulation, clear dead skin cells and serve us a great foundation for your follow-up products. Plus the massage action gives a natural flush to the complexion.

Avoid using acids daily:

Use a cleanser that is balanced with good active ingredients like salicylic, lactic or glycolic acid, which will assist in cleaning and unblock the skin, targeting issues such as dry skin and acne, but without stripping it. However start with executive cleanses when using these products, to build the skin’s resistance and reduce sensitization.

Don’t scrub those spots

Acne-sufferers often think that constantly cleansing the skin with abrasive cleansers will rid the skin of its spots, but often it just exacerbates the problem and leads to breakouts. Go gentle on problematic skin, using fingers to remove cleanser – or a muslin cloth used very gently. Pat wet skin dry rather than rubbing and stick to products designed for your skin type.

Finally…

....cleanse with clean fingers

It makes complete sense right? But how many of you actually wash your hands before cleansing your face? Exactly. It’s one of those things that seems obvious once it’s pointed out to you….

Ladies, meet Daisie Smith, the beauty blogger behind your (ridiculously good) October Roccabox. Known for her beauty prowess and savvy tips (Daisie’s USP is her ability to give life advice like she’s your sister) it’s little wonder that the products Daisie is spoiling you with this month are clever, hardworking and very, VERY good.

Here we get the inside scoop from Beauty's Big Sister...

Current lust-have :The Huda Beauty Rose Gold Palette is seriously what eyeshadow dreams are made of. Yes it's pricey, but WOW it's a stunner. Filled with highly-pigmented, foil-effect and silky shadows; I think it's a palette that I *need* in my makeup bag ASAP.

Expensive must-have I already own :

If there's one product that's completely worth the money in my beauty bag, then it's got to be the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. The hype is really worth it for this gorgeous cream that's perfect for my sensitive skin and creates the ultimate canvas for makeup.

Current must-have:

The Barry M Liquid Chrome Highlighters - thank the beauty gods that we can now get a high-shine, intense highlight for just £6. These beauties that come in five shades, are definitely just as good as my high-end Illuminators.

Beauty Muse:

Kendall Jenner would probably have to be my beauty muse. I love her effortless looks and how simple and chic her makeup always is. When she's getting dressed up, she usually goes for a bold orangey-red lip or a soft smokey eye, which I love.

First ever makeup item:

The first product I remember owning was a clear mascara. Back to the time where we wasn't allowed to wear makeup to school, I knew I wanted to enhance my lashes and wearing a clear mascara was how I got away with it!

Skin-deep beauty tip:

I drink peppermint tea every day and it's become a ritual for me! It's good for so many things - skin, hair, nails. Thanks to the menthol, it's great for keeping my spots at bay and the antioxidants help to clear my pores.

I'll never buy in to:

One thing I'll never buy into (right now - never say never!); is super techy skincare. I have sensitive skin, so the most gentle products and natural ingredients work best for me.

I'm most excited by:

I'm a beauty junkie and there's not much that excites me more than new technologies, innovative products and clever packaging. The beauty industry is constantly evolving and I love seeing what's coming up next!

September is the start of the new season, which means a new wardrobe (hello boots, oh how we’ve missed you!) and slightly different make-up (we’ll be – albeit reluctantly - parting with our bronzing powder, in favour of a lighter complexion and rosy blush). Rather controversially, the new season also means for us, a new scent. While many women prefer to wear a signature scent, month in and month out, only switching up their smell every few years, at Roccabox we like to do a seasonal scent switch up, matching our fragrance to the mood of each season. So while summer was all about using body products fragranced with coconut, floral notes evocative of the Med and refreshing citrus, as we move in to Autumn we prefer heavier, muskier, and more importantly, sweeter scents. We basically want to smell like all the puddings, pies and sweet treats we plan on indulging in now it’s getting that bit colder (read: now that we can wear more clothes). So, here’s our edit of the delicious saccharine-scented products we will be layering, to create our new season scent:

This meringue-like whipped mousse (yum) transforms upon contact with the skin, in to an ultra-hydrating skin treat. Decadent and delicious, this clever little product from a cult Korean brand soothes winter-skin irritation and a combination of honey, milk protein, egg yolk extract and albumin work together to boost the skin’s natural ability to regenerate. So basically that means we smell amazing, while our skin becomes firmer and more supple.

This indulgent shower creme leaves skin soft, cleansed and smelling absolutely delish. A little bit like how we imagine it would be to shower in our favorite pudding, this limited edition shower gel is every bit as yummy, sweet, rich and creamy as a piece of vanilla pie but without the calories.

The body cream we always go back to, this indulgent, softly whipped cream, is a real treat. Pricey, but worth it, we favour the Almond/Coconut version during summer, but as Autumn rolls in, we love how this so-sweet-it’s-sickly scent lingers for days.

Hands up who has a large – and growing- collection of make-up brushes, that do little more than clog up their make-up bag? Guilty. A quick tally at Roccabox HQ revealed that 8 out of 10 of us owns at least 5 make-up brushes that we never use – and admittedly have no idea what to use them for. So in order to brush up on our brush knowledge (ahem), we decided to put it to the professionals to create an edit of the ONLY make-up brushes we need for our face and we vowed to learn – once and for all – how to use each and every one of them. Consider it Feng Shui for your make-up bag and the key to a flawless face. You can thank us later…

Do we really need lots of different brushes for our face? It’s all so confusing…

In a word, yes. Put it this way: the brush you use for applying your bronzer, for example, shouldn’t be the same brush you use to apply your brush. Aside from colour transfer (we don’t want rosy blush all over our forehead…) the size, shape and types of bristles you use, all differ according to purpose. So, these are the brushes you need to know about if you want a flawless, glowing, defined face:

Foundation Brush – The majority of make-up artists agree that a good foundation brush is the key to a flawless, long-lasting base and if HD-ready skin is your goal, a flat stiff brush will allow you to work in small amounts of foundation effectively, so you can build up coverage to look natural. Blank Canvas Cosmetics’ F01 Face Brush* is our must-have tool for nailing a flawless application. Use to apply foundation, before using it again to ‘buff’ the product into your skin, for a perfect finish. Buff and blend in a stipple motion. The bristles on this gorgeous looking brush are extra soft (not to mention vegan and antibacterial) plus when you aren’t using it as a foundation brush, and its bristles are still dry, it can double up as a powder brush.

Tapered Brush – if defined cheekbones are your goal (erm, aren’t they everyone’s?) then a slanted, precision brush like Make Up For Ever's Precision Blush Brush no. 150 is your tool. The angular bristles hug the contours of your cheeks, so application is effortless. Use to apply a darker shade in to the depths of your cheeks. Using a matt bronzer or shading powder, place the brush at the center of the ear, guide towards the tip of the nose and stop shortly before the corner of the eye. Use with either cream or powder – we prefer powder for a buildable, blendable, more seamless finish.

Blusher Brush – you need something much smaller than your bronzer brush, as you want to limit blush application to the apples of your cheeks, and a smaller head of bristles gives you better control. Try Charlotte Tilbury’s round-headed Blusher Brush for adding a flush of colour to cheeks. Also doubles up as a highlighter brush, for adding powder highlighter higher up on cheekbones.

Synthetic bristles don’t absorb oils, which makes them the best choice for liquid and cream formulas, such as foundation and cream blush. Natural bristles are more porous than their faux friends, making them a much better choice for powders as they will pick up more product. They’ll also blend them into your skin better.

We’re very time-poor – be honest, do we really need to clean our brushes?

YES! Laboratory-based tests on make-up and application tools have shown up all sorts of different microbes that can cause infection. If we don’t regularly clean our make-up brushes, bacteria can build up on the surface from constantly being in contact with our skin, and can lead to infections such as conjunctivitis. Microbes such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA can also live on old makeup and cause more serious inflammation and sepsis, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Convinced yet?

Got it. So, how should we look after them?

Shampoo is a good start. A gentle, baby shampoo is a good alternative to a brush cleansing solution: try adding antibacterial tea-tree oil (a tip we picked up from Kim K’s make-up artist) to the shampoo beforehand. Organic soap or skin cleanser also works. And how often should we be cleaning them? Skin brushes that we use daily should be cleaned once a week, to prevent build up. All other brushes – eyeshadow, blush etc – will benefit from a once a month cleanse.

*you'll find one in your September Roccabox!

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https://roccabox.co.uk/blogs/news/how-stress-is-ruining-your-looks-and-what-you-can-do-about-it-now2017-09-11T06:30:00+01:002017-09-11T06:30:00+01:00How stress is ruining your looks* *and what you can do about it nowAlex Fowler

Feeling stressed? Of course you are. Let’s face it, with most of us having mortgages to pay, work deadlines to meet and a stubborn half a stone we'd love to lose, our day-to-day life is often the source of some stressful situations. Nothing new there. But did you know that stress isn’t just stopping you from sleeping, it’s also giving you wrinkles, ruining your hair and – you know that pesky half a stone that won’t budge- yep, you can thank it for that too. Basically it’s giving you more to stress over. So how exactly is stress interfering with your looks? Oh, let us count the ways…

It’s giving you acne: If you’re genetically prone to a particular skin problem, stress can trigger a flare-up. So, whether it’s acne, psoriasis, or eczema that’s your nemesis, when you’re feeling stressed out, you can expect to say hello to your little dormant friend. Stress also triggers the release of cortisol in our bodies, which can throw our other hormones off balance, leading skin to break out in spots. Another thing stress is responsible for is disrupting the balance between the good and bad bacteria in your gut, which – again - can lead to acne. And just to top it all off, stress usually leads to a lack of sleep, and as bedtime is when our skin cells naturally turnover, stress can disrupt our skin’s ability to rejuvenate itself (read, look good.) So as if we weren’t already stressed enough, we can add bad skin to our list of problems. Thanks for that.

It’s giving you wrinkles: When we live in a chronic state of stress, our bodies are constantly producing the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for collagen breakdown, among other things. You can guess where we’re going with this: it’s harder for the skin to repair itself, to form healthy collagen and to deal with damage. Hello, wrinkles.

It's making you fat: Finally, aside from the fact that many of us turn to comfort eating when we’re stressed out, that pesky little hormone cortisol is also responsible for weight gain, and is thought in particular to contribute to the gathering of fat around our abs. So you can say goodbye to those dreams of a six-pack until you’ve chilled out a bit.

So now we’ve established how stress is ruining your looks, how should you tackle it? There’s obviously a huge range of options available to you – from breathing methods, exercise, meditation and a change in nutrition, to homeopathic remedies, but we’ve turned our focus towards beauty products, which contain certain ingredients designed to make us feel balanced, calmer and more serene. Here are the three that we genuinely believe in:

Sniff Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Essential Oilto slow down the breath and calm the mind. One of the active compounds in Frankincense is Incensole Acetate, which is a neuroactive chemical believed to actively influence the nervous system, alleviating feelings of anxiety. If you’re a fan of meditation you can incorporate it in to your routine or add a few drops to a tissue for on-the-go soothing. We like to keep a bottle in our desk drawer for when work gets tough.

Sleep tends to take a backseat when we’re stressed – and then ruined sleep just stresses us out even more. Break the vicious cycle with a product that’s recently received a lot of press attention: Lush’s Sleepy Body Lotion. Elevating the brand’s status from pre-teen fave to on the radar of savvy, hard-working women who need desperately to unwind, this much-lauded lavender-infused body lotion really does work. Use after a long hot bath, to double up the zed-inducing benefits.

Scentered De-Stress Therapy Balm* is our hero product when we want our spirits lifting. This skin-nourishing balm is blended from moringa and shea butters (that’s our skin sorted) and is scented with uplifting citrus and herbs - Neroli, Mandarin, Sweet Brazilian Orange- and balancing floral notes of Jasmine, Rose and Mimosa, which make for a mind-calming fragrance. It’s practically therapy in a bottle. Plus the leak-free design means we can keep it in our handbag without it spilling. So, that's one less thing to worry about...

It’s Khloe’s hair that we lust after and Kim’s brows that we crave but when it comes to taking skin advice from the Kardashian/ Jenner clan, Kylie’s our fountain of knowledge. With her ridiculously flawless skin that is always selfie-ready, we were desp to know the key to Kylie’s clear complexion. And now that we know it, we’re even more giddy, because it’s totally do-able in, you know, the real world. So, what’s KJ’s secret skin weapon? Nip + Fab’s Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads*, RRP £13. Her firm favorite, bar none, these easy-to-use wipes are tipped as the reason Kylie’s skin is always so perfectly clear, despite having to wear heavy make-up daily. So, how do they work? Firstly, they’re steeped in Glycolic Acid, a real by-word for glowing skin. This is what helps to resurface the skin’s texture, unclog and minimize pores and exfoliate away dead skin cells, to reveal brighter skin and improve any texture issues. Glycolic Acid also, rather cleverly, changes the pH of the skin, making it more receptive to acid-based follow-on products, such as Vitamin C serum. So, not only do Glycolic Fix pads work amazingly on your skin, they also make your other products work better too – genius. Finally, Hyaluronic Acid gives skin an injection of moisture, leaving it plumped and softened. So, while we may not have millions in the bank, an infamous pout and the world’s most talked-about family, we can at least have a complexion that’s as covetable as Kylie’s.

As we teeter on the edge of next season, it’s time to look to the Fashion Week A/W17 shows for the beauty inspiration that will take our look from summer to winter, in a way that’s fresh, sexy and strictly on trend. We’ve already made our decision: our go-to look this winter is going to be the new smokey eye and nude lip combo that Elie Saab’s models demo’d with such damn sex appeal. Let’s face it - who doesn’t love (and suit) a dark eye/bare lip combo? But the new smokey eye and nude lip is far sexier, far more glam and far fresher than the traditional combo we’ve become accustomed to. Plus this look, in all its shimmering, sparkling glory, will truly come in to its own once the Christmas nights out kick off. The glitter in the smokey eye keeps everything very modern, while the soft muted lip is slightly less matt than we’ve seen recently and a refreshing alternative to the matt Kylie Jenner lips we’ve seen so much of lately.

To recreate the look, your base should be sheer. A sheer base keeps skin looking fresh and stops the overall finish being too ‘done’: this look should be understated, undone, raw glam, rather than dolled-up glam. Forget contouring, forget highlighting, just let your natural skin shine through, as the Elie Saab models did, freckles and all. A very light concealer under the eyes and around the nose will tone down any shadows and redness, but aside from that, leave the base alone. Eyes require a product that leaves a black smokey sparkle: MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in CinderFella is the best we’ve found for nailing the Elie Saab smokey eye. Layer the pigments with either your finger or a brush (a brush will keep the look more precise) but stick to just one or two layers to keep the colour fairly sheer. Take the colour all the way underneath the eye and up to the brow bone, and finish with a slick of black kohl on the waterline. Finally, for the perfect new nude lip, apply a coat of the long-lasting super wearable Smashbox** Always On Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat* (a nude that veers slightly more towards terracotta-nude than pink-nude). The finish is matt, so add a slick of lip balm (good old Vaseline will do the trick) to freshen the lips and leave them with a moist finish that is modern, flattering and kissable, in equal measure.

Which is your favorite look for next season? Check out the A/W17 shows and let us know below.....

*included in your August Roccabox.

** £10 off when you spend £40 on www.smashbox.co.uk Offer valid with any purchase of £40 or more. Enter offer code SBXROCCA10 at checkout. Offer starts 01/08/17 at 00:01 AM GMT and ends 30/09/17 at 23:59 PM GMT. One offer per customer per order.

We’ve already become pretty accustomed to including superfoods in our diet: a sprinkling of dried acai in our morning porridge; a teaspoon of maca powder in our afternoon smoothie; as much pond-water, sorry, spirulina, as we can stomach in our green juices….you get the picture. Well now we’re getting fully on board the superfood bandwagon and using superfoods on our skin, in our make-up and on our bodies, as beauty companies have started looking to superfoods to enhance their products. Like the idea of gaining the beauty-boosting benefits of superfoods, without having to ingest yet another green smoothie? Course you do. So, read on for our edit of the latest and most innovative superfood-enhanced beauty products.

Kale – We’ve tried it in juices, smoothies and baked in to crisps (tastes surprisingly similar to crispy seaweed) but painting our nails with Nails Inc’s NailKale* polishes is by far our favourite way with kale. The entire range is supercharged with kale extract – said to stimulate advanced keratin production, hydrate and nourish, resulting in nail growth and strength. Try it as a base coat or go for our current favorite shade, Claremont Street – the ideal in-between-season shade.

Chia – Look for Chia seeds in your skincare if you’re looking to calm irritated skin: their anti-inflammatory nature makes them ideal for skin that’s prone to redness. Packed full of omega 3’s – hence why those chia puddings are so darn good for you – they’ll help to maintain the skin cells and improve the texture of skin over time. Pricey but worth it: Perricone MD Chia Serum £65

It’s nearly the end of August and we’re creeping slowly but steadily towards the end of summer. And while a part of us secretly looks forward to pulling out the winter wardrobe and welcoming red wine back in to our evenings, for as long as it’s August we’ll be clinging on to every drop of summer and desperately attempting to keep that summer feeling (and glow!). So, if like us, you want to recreate that summer holiday feeling, one last time, before you bring out the leather leggings and Malbec, read on to find out how…

Recreate the detoxifying qualities of the sea

The natural salts of the sea have a detoxifying quality on your body, helping to cleanse the skin of toxins and naturally solving a host of skin issues. If you want your evening bath to have the same effect, use a product that encourages detoxification, such as Miss Patisserie Sea Salt Bath Melt* **, which are full of detoxifying salts, antioxidants and minerals. We love that – unlike most bath salts- they also have the same fresh salty smell of the sea, for added holiday nostalgia.

Pick products that smell of summer

Look for certain ingredients within products that will evoke memories of summer: generally anything coconut-scented will make you think of suncream (and pina coladas) and look for notes of citrus, such as mandarin and lemon, and floral hints of jasmine and neroli if you want to be transported back to the Med (even if it is only in the mind). Our favorite coconut-scented post-holiday product is Hawaiian Tropic Body Butter which we like to layer with the summery scent of Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino.

Use a body oil

When it comes to winter we tend to favour the skin-nourishing quality of body butters and rich creams over oils, which strip away the fake tan we rely on over winter. Dedicate the next couple of weeks to using plenty of gloss-giving skin oils and relish in the tan-enhancing, sheeny glow they bask your skin in. Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse Or is our favorite, for its tiny shimmering particles that illuminate the skin so fabulously.

How do you recreate that summer feeling after a holiday? Tell us below....